Konecranes, having manufactured straddle carriers at its Competence Center in Würzburg, Germany, since 1968, has delivered its 3,000th straddle carrier for operation at the MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) in Antwerp, Belgium.
The MPET terminal will add the diesel-electric N SC 634 E to its current fleet of around 230 straddle carriers, of which 150 are Konecranes Noell machines of different generations.
Most were purchased in the past few months as part of a major contract.
Dirk Oellibrandt, Managing Director, MPET, said: “In line with the expansion of the MPET terminal, we have put almost 100 additional machines into operation since spring 2016 alone, and will continue to develop our fleet in the short and mid-term.
“The machines are extremely efficient and reliable. We also benefit from short delivery lead-times. We are delighted that the 3,000th straddle carrier is working in our terminal and would like to congratulate Konecranes on reaching this landmark.”
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Mika Mahlberg, Executive Vice President, Business Area Port Solutions, Konecranes, commented: “In the past almost 50 years, Konecranes has continuously developed the straddle carrier further in line with market requirements.
“Today, as a port equipment and solutions supplier, we are much sought after by leading straddle carrier terminals around the world. The continuing success naturally makes us proud and we are delighted that the 3,000th machine is going to the single largest container terminal in Europe.”
Mahlberg added: “The A-STRAD combines the mature machine design of the diesel-electric Konecranes Noell Straddle Carrier with an innovative automation solution.
“With this innovation, Konecranes proves once again that we are not only the inventor of the straddle carrier for container handling, but continue to be a pioneer and technological pacesetter in terminal automation.”
